Marlins fall, drop series to Nationals

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

FS Florida

MIAMI (AP) -- The
Miami Marlins managed only one run Wednesday night, and it was tainted.

A disputed call that went the Marlins' way allowed them to avoid their fifth shutout, but they still lost to the
Washington Nationals, 6-1.

Ricky Nolasco (0-2), by far Miami's highest-paid player at $11.5 million, remained winless and allowed four runs in six innings. The punchless Marlins have scored five runs in his four starts.

"I thought he did a nice job and kept us in the game," manager Mike Redmond said. "Everything is magnified right now because we're not able to put a big number on the board. Everybody is having to pitch perfect, and that's tough to do."

The Marlins went 2-7 on their homestand and hit the road with the worst record in the majors at 3-12. They're also last in the majors in runs (32) and homers (three).

The Marlins trailed 3-0 before they scored in the fifth, when
Chris Valaika doubled and came home on a two-out single by Donovan Solano. It appeared catcher Kurt Suzuki tagged the sliding Valaika just before he touched the plate, and umpire Greg Gibson began to signal out before changing his call to safe.

Washington manager Davey Johnson briefly argued.

"I said, `You had it right, and then you changed it,'" Johnson said. "We survived it."

That's because
Ross Detwiler was dominant for the third time in as many starts, while Bryce Harper had four hits.

Back in the lineup after missing one game with the flu, Harper required intravenous fluids before the game, vomited once between innings and repeatedly bent over in discomfort before stepping into the batter's box. But he went 4 for 5 to hike his average to .364.

"I didn't feel very good at all," Harper said. "Getting in the box and swinging made my head spin a little bit."

He made the Marlins dizzy, too, and helped Detwiler earn his first victory of the year. Harper singled in his first two at-bats, doubled and scored in the sixth inning and drove in Washington's final run by beating out an infield hit.

"I wanted to play," he said. "My team needed me out there. I thought I could help the team win. I didn't really care if I was sick or not."

Harper went 3 for 3 against Nolasco and improved to 9 for 20 (.450) against the right-hander. Harper hit two solo homers off Nolasco on opening day.

"Now it's to the point where I make good pitches and they're still falling," Nolasco said. "Every time I break his bat or make good pitches, they're still hits."

Miami slugger
Giancarlo Stanton sat out for the sixth consecutive game because of a bruised left shoulder, but he's expected to rejoin the lineup Thursday in Cincinnati.

Another bright spot for the Marlins: Announced attendance was 22,302. Despite the team's dismal start, crowds have been larger than many expected in the wake of offseason moves that angered fans.

Detwiler (1-0) allowed one run in seven innings, which actually increased his ERA to 0.90. He left his first two starts with the Nationals ahead 5-1 and 4-1, but both times received no decision.

This time Washington's relievers came through.
Tyler Clippard and
Rafael Soriano pitched one perfect inning apiece to close out a seven-hitter.

"We have a great bullpen," Detwiler said. "Nobody wants to face the guys we have coming out of the bullpen, so it's really comforting to see those guys jog out."

Detwiler threw a career-high 107 pitches, almost all of them fastballs.

"He should be 3-0," Johnson said. "He has been outstanding."

The Nationals, who took two of three games from the Marlins, have won only four of 19 series in Miami since the beginning of 2007. This year Washington is 5-1 against the Marlins and has outscored them 29-13.

NOTES: Marlins SS Adeiny Hechavarria was scratched from the lineup 90 minutes before the game with a sore right elbow and will be further evaluated. Valaika, who replaced Hechavarria, has now started at all four infield positions this month. ... Miami RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session and may pitch a simulated game next week. ... Nationals 3B
Ryan Zimmerman left the game in the eighth inning with cramps in his left hamstring but said he expects to play Friday. OF
Denard Span missed his second game in a row with the flu but was feeling better. 2B
Danny Espinosa remained out with a bruised right hand but is expected to play Friday. ...
Jayson Werth went hitless and has a career average of .118 (4 for 34) against Nolasco. ... The retractable roof was open for the fifth time in nine games.